Denair municipal advisory council needs members

For the past four years, five people have faithfully served the Denair Municipal Advisory Council, advising county officials on matters pertaining to the small community.

With three seats expiring this year, the Denair MAC is in dire need of community members willing to provide leadership on issues such as public health, safety, welfare, public works and planning.

Current members Mark Swartz and Dorinda Soiseth did not turn in their candidate forms during the filing period, as both said they no longer had enough time to serve on the MAC. “I didn’t reapply this year; I just got really busy with other work I’m involved in and missed the deadline,” said Swartz. “If the county decided to reappoint me, then I may consider it. But right now it’s hard to say.”

Swartz is currently involved in the Denair Lions Club and the Denair Civic Association. He also said that he is interested in getting involved with the Denair Community Services District, an agency dedicated to water and the collection and treatment of sewage.

Additionally, Soiseth said she would not be returning to the Denair MAC after her seat expires.

“I just feel like I don’t have an adequate amount of time to devote to projects like this right now,” said Soiseth. “I work full time, and have grown adult children that I want to visit and spend time with during my free time. I did enjoy serving the past four years, and it’s a great thing for our community. Right now, I just don’t have the time.”

Although Soiseth and Swartz will not continue to serve on the Denair MAC, current member Mary Riner will be reappointed to the council by the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors during their Oct. 29 meeting.

According to the California Election Code, an individual can be appointed to a municipal advisory council in lieu of an election when there is not more than one person nominated for the elective offices, or there were no nominees during the filing period.

With Riner’s reappointment, the Denair MAC will have two vacant seats.

The Denair MAC meets every first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Denair Unified School District Leadership Room.